May Flowers

Great thanks to everyone who has helped the organization continue to grow and thrive.

This is always an anxious and challenging time of year for us, as we prepare for the busy season of April through September. Much has been done to assure smooth events and an easy transition to our new office. It’s been a long, cold winter and I, for one, am more than ready to get outside into the sunshine.

We’re all familiar with the notion that “April showers bring May flowers.” It’s pretty self-explanatory of course. The spring rains are a crucial part of the early flora pushing toward the surface, to the light that brings their destiny. The rain and the sun nourish the flowers so they can flourish and bloom.

For us, the rain and sun are metaphors for the hard work and determination of our volunteers, of Mark Cockson, our Executive Director, and of the Board of Directors of the Gateway Council of Hostelling International – USA.

This hard work and determination moves us closer to our goals, to continue improving our events and activities, to bring in more members and volunteers, and to positively impact more and more people.

Maybe someday we’ll even own and operate an international youth hostel in St Louis, Missouri, USA. By providing a safe and affordable place for young travelers, we hope to introduce a new generation to the wonders of the world beyond their day-to-day reality. These are the experiences that nourish young minds so they can grow as future world leaders. These experiences change one’s worldview and, in turn, make the world a slightly smaller, safer place.

We are cautiously exploring an opportunity brought to us by the Old North St Louis Restoration Group. An anchor of their current restoration plan is the Mullanphy building, a property several blocks south of Crown Candy Kitchen. The analysis they did on the best use of the building revealed that its ideal use would be as an international youth hostel, mostly due to the historical significance of the building as an emigrant house. Imagine that!

We’ll keep you posted if things progress further. In the meantime, please let us know if you have an interest in being part of our hostel development or other committees. We also need and appreciate your donations.

I hope you’ll check out our events calendar for spring and summer, which is fantastic this year. The Five Star Century, Cycle Across Missouri and The Moonlight Ramble all look to be especially exciting this time around. Those events are just a small sample of what we have planned for you in 2008!

Thanks again for your continued support of our events, projects and fundraisers.

And let’s hear it for those May Flowers! Get out there and see some.

Rob has served as Board President for the organization for the past six years. Prior to serving as president, Rob was the Board Treasurer. He is a Financial Advisor and President of Dixon Financial Services 314.961.6100 in Webster Groves, Missouri.